The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-09
Let's all work together.
The Hardening Power.

The CLARION does not think that its
duty to the public requires that it shall
pass judgment on the action of the Gov
ernor of Mississippi in granting pardons,
and, therefore, it has had very little to
say about pardons 1t had nothing to
say about the pardon of Thomas until
invited to say something by its esteemed
contemporary, the Meridian Me,os In
reply to that journal we said that the
people have conferred upon Governor
Lowry the power to grant reprieves and
pardons, and that we prefer to believe
that in exercising the power he acts con-
scientiously. To this the Nens responds
as follows:
The CLARION has the enterprise to hunt
up facts to support lis position in matters
in which il is interested. How happens it,
considering it "prefers to believe" etc.,
that it has not taken the trouble to hunt
up the facts in the Thomas pardon case.
The Ners will not hesitate to publish the
facts, whether they favor the Governor or
not
The Ners must know that whenever
the pardoning power is exercised, some
body will be dissatisfied, and the course
usually pursued by those who have
faith in the honest intentions of the
Governor, is to let the dissatisfied "have
their say" THE CLARION is not the
apologist of Governor Lowry, and does
not feel under duty to sustain every act
of his administration, but he is certainly
entitled to fair treatment, from every
citizen of the State. Were he a candi-
date for reelection, it might be urged as
an objection to him, that he exercises
the pardoning power too freely, and the
people could decide that question to
suit themselves. As it is the issue
raised by such energetic attacks as have
been occasioned by the pardon of
Thomas can never be decided.
1t has not been the custom in Missis-
sippi to try the Governor before the
people every time he grants a pardon,
and THE CLARION declines to aid in the
establishment of any such custom. The
Constitution contemplates that the Gov
ernor shall grant pardons at discretion.
The power to do so is unlimited. 1t
may not be fettered or embarrassed by
the Legislature, the organized and legal
representatives of the people, and it
ought not to be by the clamors of the
few who speak for themselves.
Referring to the attacks of Mr.. Wat
terson, of the Louisville Courier-Jounal,
on the President, the New York Herald
recently used the following language:
The Colonel, in his enthusiasm againt
Mr.. Cleveland, and for brilliant writing,
seems to US sometimes to forget that
President of the United States must bear all
attacks in silence, and that that is reason.
with generous foes, for giving this officer
at least the fairest of fair play.
If the President of the United States
is entitled to the fairest of fair play
from his foes, because he must bear all |
attacks in silence" surely, the Governor |
Of Mississippi, who "must bear all at
lacks in silence" is entitled to something
from his friends, especially when he acts
matter about which the
Constitution makes him the supreme
Judge.
1t will take something more than the
iamnable iteration which seems to have
affected the Ne,rs, to make THE CLARION
DIN in the clamor against Governor
# Mississippi.
There are many persons who hold that
ne pardoning power should not be con- I
erred on any one man, because of the /
LANCER Of its abuse. But the argument |
not all on that side of the question. I
or there are many Of the opinion that
ne division Of the responsibility between
hree or more persons increases the dan
er. The subject Is one which could Be
rofitably discussed in Constitutional /.
convention II The light Of experience. -
mong the States of the Union both SIS
ems prevail: Il